DÉJÀ VU: Before the 2014 SFX Exposition Goans battled successfully to get an illegal structure demolished in Old Goa

OLD GOA: It is deja vu for the people across Goa as ten years after the exposition of the relics, Old Goa faces yet another illegal construction in the Archaeological conservation zone.

While people prepared themselves for the exposition in 2014, they battled against an illegal construction and got it demolished back then. 10 years on, the activists say it’s a new year but a similar problem has surfaced and now are praying for a miracle before the Goencho Saib to get rid of the illegal bungalow in Old Goa.

Mariano Ferrao Belecar said, “In 2014, we fought against similar construction and the archaeological survey of India was with us, and we had the demolition. At present this construction is a white elephant but in future, it will surely be demolished,” he said.

“2014 was the time of exposition. There was a structure that was built on this same property. One of the activists, Sudeep Dalvi brought up the issue and all of us, including Prajal Sakhardande, late Father Bismarque Dias, Cedric D’Costa and many more came together here,” Belecar recollected.

Toilets and other constructions in the compound were built in 2014, prompting the activists to turn to the authorities. After failing to get relief, they went to the panchayat exposition committee and even the CM’s office, but unfortunately, they all declined.

After getting the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which declined action, activists approached the High Court and got a stay and eventually the structure was demolished.

“We still have the High Court order, in which it has been mentioned that not a single stone should be put up in the area. But sadly after 10 years, we have a similar case, but no matter what we will get this structure demolished,” he added.

Activists said that the ASI has all the documents and the power to demolish any unauthorised structure which is constructed on the heritage site.

“However due to the political pressure, it was bypassed. But now it has come into the right hands. So sooner or later we will get this structure demolished,” Belecar said.

Activist Anthony D’Silva said, “It is time that the MLAs stop making statements that the structure will be demolished in three months and six months and start working in the direction to demolish the illegal structure.”

Conservation activist Ana Gracias said, “It is time that the police investigate the complaint of forgery of documents to ensure the truth comes out.”